Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation

689 Gates Street Easton, Pennsylvania 18040 [email protected] 610-250-6981 www.lfgf.org Newsletter

VOLUME 6 , NUMBER 1 JANUARY 2014

Founded in 2004, LFG is a 501c3 charitable or- ganization. Donations 1.3 Million in Grants Awarded Since 2004 are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Dr. Peter Phillips, Director Lauren’s First and Goal Foundation of Neuro-oncology at The announced more than $177,000 in grant Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, & Lauren. INSIDE THIS ISSUE: awards to pediatric cancer research, pa- tient services and families impacted by Each of these pro- the disease. LFG has now awarded more LFG Then 2 jects has received and Now than $1.3 million in grants as part of the a foundation grant fight against pediatric cancer since 2004. in previous years “We are very grateful to all of the as well. Football Camps 2 members of Lauren's Circle of Strength – Along with their dedication to funding our generous donors, football camp par- pediatric cancer research, Lauren’s First ticipants, volunteers, coaches and train- and Goal continues its focus on supporting patient services that ease the burden on ers, who return year after year to support Pre-Register 2 families. our research initiatives and patient/family The first award recipient is Camp Can COS Profile - 3 support programs. Over the past ten Do, a week-long camp for children who Rachel Domozych years, grants from LFG have supported are receiving treatment that provides a research that facilitates the translation of normal, active and safe camp experience. science into new treatments for pediatric Camp Can Do attendees explore the out- 3 brain tumors. This targeted research has doors, swim, fish, boat, work with arts and Blake Costanzo made the genetic analysis of tumors pos- crafts, and spend a day at Hersheypark sible, which enables the development of among other activities. Additionally, the foundation is awarding more personalized therapies for patients and provides the best treatments possi- $12,000 to Camp Sunshine this year that ble,” said LFG founder Marianne Loose. allowed six families to attend camp for the Join LFG is focusing the largest amount of Low Grade Pediatric Brain Tumor week. Lauren’s First and Goal its grants on pediatric cancer research, Camp Sunshine is a year-round program with three projects receiving $45,000 that provides respite, support, joy and each. The research projects include: hope to children with life-threatening ill-  Dana Farber’s Pediatric Low-Grade nesses and their immediate families Astrocytoma (PGLA) program through various stages of a child’s illness.  Johns Hopkins’ Pilocytic/Pilomyxoid The final piece of LFG´s mission is Newsletter Editor: Research program family support, recognizing the financial Patrice M. Domozych  Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s strain of a cancer diagnosis. The [email protected] Brain Tumor Tissue Consortium Foundation provided more than $16,500 to 21 families in 2013.

Support LFG by ordering its publications at amazon.com, createspace.com, or lfgf.org P A G E 2

LFG Football Camp - Then and Now

The Number of Campers The Number of Campers in 2004 in 2013 320 2559

The Number of Coaches The Number of Coaches In 2004 In 2013 58 427

The Number of College Programs Represented The Number of College Programs Represented In 2004 In 2013 35 159

The Total Camper Donations The Total Camper Donations In 2004 In 2013 $11,552 $112,591

Lauren and coaching legend, Bobby Ross, 2004

The 11th annual Lauren's First and Goal Football Camp will be held on June, 1, 2014 at Lafayette College's Metzgar Athletic Complex in Easton, Pennsylvania. The date for the 5th annual camp at Otterbein University in Westerville Ohio is pending. The LFG Football Camps are open to student-athletes who will be PLEASE PRE-REGISTER entering grades 9 through 12 this fall. During the event, athletes are divided into small groups and receive instruction in a variety of offensive and defensive skills from volunteer college coaches from around the country. Both camps demonstrate the tremendous spirit of giving, the ON LINE OR BY sharing of gifts and sense of community that has been built from the hope of a better future for children and families facing a cancer diagnosis. DOWNLOADING A FORM AT Thank you all to all the campers and their families, coaches and volunteers who have joined us through the years and we look WWW.LFGF.ORG forward to seeing you again in June!

LAUREN’S FIRST AND G OAL FOUNDATION

VOLUME 6 , NUMBER 1 P A G E 3

COS Profile - Rachel Domozych

With such success, Rachel was given charge of the Kids, Family and Friends Fun Tent each year at the PA Football Camp, organizing the set up and break down of tables, crafts, activities, food, snacks, drinks, and volunteers. Rachel has served as master face-painter, hand hold- er, and hostess for 10 years. As a member of East Islip High School’s National Honor Society, Rachel organized a Rock and Bowl event in 2012 that raised $500 for LFG. A high school gymnast and track and field athlete, Rachel was committed to meets each spring, but always found a way to Easton on the first weekend in June to be at the football camp. Recognizing the need to reach young people on social media, Rachel manages Instagram for LFG. Rachel currently attends Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut. She was accepted into the University’s School of Nursing with an academic scholarship and is pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. She is honored on the QU Dean’s List for outstanding work ethic and GPA. Rachel felt her career path was set six years ago, inspired by Lauren Loose and Rachel Domozych at LFG Football Camp PA. (above) Lauren. “I always knew that I wanted to work in the field of pediatric oncology,” she said, “but I never knew exactly what I wanted to do. Lauren’s Circle of Strength, the network of family, friends and Now, I hope to become a nurse practitioner.” strangers that has banned together to support the mission of the Foundation, has grown tremendously over the last ten years. Like the A younger ripples on a pond caused by a stone dropped in the center, the Circle Rachel works of Strength is always growing and expanding. Among the many her crafting members of the Circle of Strength who have loyally served LFG, is an magic on a exceptional young woman named Rachel Domozych, from Great Riv- happy Lauren at the Family er, New York. and Friends Rachel began service at LFG PA Football camp in 2004 at age 11, Fun Tent at assisting at what was to become the annual Kids Family and Friends the LFG Fun Tent. A natural with children and still a child herself, Rachel Football Camp helped plan games, face painted, crafted and entertained the guests PA. (left) with the skill and grace of a professional. If it needed to be fun, one knew it could be left to Rachel to be made delightful.

Chicago Bears Blake Costanzo in Lauren’s COS

You’ll find him entertaining and putting smiles on all the faces at the Kids Tent on camp day, out in the fields running drills with players, and working the garbage detail on the golf carts at the end of day with his crew, but these are just a few of the talents that NFL Chicago Bears Linebacker, Blake Costanzo, brings to LFG Foundation. Blake is active among many charitable endeavors, and has been a long time volunteer with LFG, beginning with his involvement as a Lafayette team member, from 2002 to 2005. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the in 2006 and went on to play for the , and . Blake signed with Chicago in 2012, and has been a core member of the special teams unit for the Bears. Blake and Lauren share a special friendship, Blake Costanzo and kid tent participants at the 2011 LFG and he always takes time out of his busy schedule camp. (left) Lauren and Blake kick back at the Kids Family to be in Easton on LFG day to lend a hand. and Friends Fun Tent at LFG Football Camp PA 2013 with Lauren says “ Blake is one of the most kind and the Lafayette Leopard. (above) generous friends I know. He really cares about people, and always make me laugh and smile”.

Lauren's First and Goal Foundation

689 Gates Street Easton, Pennsylvania 18040 Phone: 610-250-6981 E-mail: [email protected]

www.lfgf.org LGF PA – June 1, 2014

Thank you to our major sponsors:

Otterbein University

The official registration and financial information of LFG Foundation, Inc., may be obtained from the PA Department of State by calling toll free, within PA, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. The official registration and financial information of LFG Foundation, Inc., may be obtained from the OH Department of State by calling toll free, within OH, 1-800-282-0515. Registration does not imply endorsement.